Plenty to discover

St.Gallen’s Abbey District has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1983 - a designation the town is proud of. This is just one of the many things beautiful St.Gallen can offer.

Cathedral Prince-Abbot Cölestin Gugger von Staudach ordered today's baroque cathedral to be built in 1755. The pulpit was finished in 1785, the classicist high altar and gallery in 1809/1810. Famous artists and master builders, like Josef Wannenmacher who painted the frescos on the ceiling, were appointed to work on this magnificent building.

AbbeySt.Gallen’s Abbey District was declared a World Heritage Site in 1983 by UNESCO.

Abbey library Today’s library was built in 1758/67. It is considered the most beautiful, Rococo hall in Switzerland with more than 150,000 volumes. In particular, it is the unique collection of early mediaeval handwriting that underlines the international importance of the library’s outstanding work.

The Stiftkirche’s lapidarium The lapidarium shows a collection of valuable building blocks and columns from the 8th and 17th centuries.

St.Laurenzen Church with observation tower During the Reformation of the town of St.Gallen during the 1520s, St.Laurenzen became the main church for reformed church-goers. Since its remodelling in 1850/54, the church is a basilica in new Gothic style.

St.Gallen’s historical district Town merchants often liked to adorn the facades of their houses with richly-decorated extensions. Many of these bow windows remain until the present day and lend the alleyways variety and an artistic touch. They are called Kugel (Kugelgasse), Scheggen (Marktgasse), Kamel-Erker (Spisergasse), Sternen-Erker (Spisergasse), Bären-Erker (Spisergasse), Gerechtigkeits- and Engel-Erker (Spisergasse), Pelikan-Erker (Schmidgasse) and Erker am Grünen Hof (Gallusstrasse).

KarlstorBuilt in 1570, Karlstor is the only remaining gate of the original 11 gates in the town wall. It is named after Cardinal Karl Borromäus of Milan who is supposed to have been the first person to go through the gate.

Waaghaus or Kaufhaus am Bohl From mediaeval times to the 19th century, this building was a warehouse and place for merchants to weigh their goods. Since it was restored in 1963, the meeting hall of the town’s parliament and a large hall for exhibitions and concerts are located on the top floor.

Drei Weieren With attractive Art Deco bathing huts and a fantastic view of St.Gallen right down to Lake Constance, St.Gallen’s charming natural lakes invite you to take a stroll, have a swim or just linger a while.

Peter and Paul Wildlife Park The Wildlife Park is an enjoyable place to go at all times of the year. Ibex, roe, fallow and sika deer, as well as chamois in packs of different sizes, live in the wildlife park today. You can also come and see wild boar, marmot, lynx and wild cats. The forest paths between the cages and the vast number of observation towers make a walk in the wildlife park an experience that is relaxing and allows you to be close to nature at the same time.